Joint support and subchondral support system

Abstract

A joint support and subchondral support system and method of use of same for providing structural and dampening support to damaged subchondral bone adjacent to a body joint are disclosed. The joint support and subchondral support system and method of use of same are applicable to many parts of the joint as any area with cartilage disease has an adjoining subchondral component.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A joint support and subchondral support system for providing structural support to damaged subchondral bone adjacent to a body joint, comprising:
 at least one non-telescoping, single walled primary bearing strut element of variable geometry and thickness having a longitudinal body with open opposing ends and a vertically disposed inner edge and a vertically disposed outer edge, suitable for insertion within the subchondral bone, wherein the at least one non-telescoping single walled primary bearing strut element includes a concentric taper from the outer edge to the inner edge; 
 the longitudinal body having a porosity to allow vascularity, bridging bone, and other biological elements to pass through to promote healing at a treatment site; 
 the vertically disposed inner edge having pronged scalloping to first penetrate the subchondral bone during insertion and to maintain the at least one non-telescoping, single walled primary bearing strut element in place within the subchondral bone; and 
 the vertically disposed outer edge having a plurality of hollow grooves formed vertically therethrough, wherein the plurality of hollow grooves are configured to receive a multi-pronged longitudinal insertion holder during insertion of the at least one non-telescoping single walled primary bearing strut element within the subchondral bone, and the vertically disposed outer edge is contoured to fit the subchondral bone at the treatment site. 
 
     
     
       2. The joint support and subchrondral support system of  claim 1 , wherein the multi-pronged longitudinal insertion holder forms a plurality of vascular channels in the subchondral bone during insertion of the at least one non-telescoping, single walled-primary bearing strut element within the subchondral bone whereby blood or marrow may access the vertically disposed outer edge through the plurality of hollow grooves or vascular channels. 
     
     
       3. The joint support and subchondral support system of  claim 1 , wherein single or multiple geometric shapes of the at least one non-telescoping single walled primary bearing strut element may be configured to be joined to each other in various patterns such that the single or multiple geometric shapes penetrate the subchondral bone at the treatment site. 
     
     
       4. The joint support and subchondral support system of  claim 3 , wherein the single or multiple geometric shapes configured to be joined together include at least three connecting struts to form a multiple concentric circle in which each circle of the at least one non-telescoping, single walled primary bearing strut element is connected to an adjacent circle by the connecting struts. 
     
     
       5. The joint support and subchondral support system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one non-telescoping, single walled primary bearing strut element has a diameter of from about 1 mm to about 5 cm and a height/depth of from about 1 mm to about 3 cm. 
     
     
       6. The joint support and subchondral support system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one non-telescoping, single walled primary bearing strut element includes a primary bearing flare for resisting subsidence within the subchondral bone at the treatment site. 
     
     
       7. The joint support and subchondral support system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one non-telescoping, single walled primary bearing strut element includes a secondary flare extending below the strut element for further resisting subsidence within the subchondral bone at the treatment site. 
     
     
       8. The joint support and subchondral support system of  claim 7 , wherein the secondary flare is at least one of a vertical, double-tapered wing strut, and obliquely extending arm. 
     
     
       9. The joint support and subchondral support system of  claim 1 , wherein the porosity of the longitudinal body may be comprised of micropores, scaffold-like pores, or a fibrous matrix material. 
     
     
       10. The joint support and subchondral support system of  claim 1 , wherein a biocompatible bearing surface cover may be attached to a periphery of the vertically disposed outer edge to contain marrow contents entering through vascular channels or exogenous substances injected through the cover. 
     
     
       11. A joint support and subchondral support system for providing dampening support to damaged subchondral bone adjacent to a body joint, comprising:
 at least one non-telescoping, primary bearing strut element of variable geometry and thickness; and 
 at least one active or passive dampening element suitable for attachment to the at least one non-telescoping, primary bearing strut element for dissipating and dampening shock within the subchondral bone; the at least one non-telescoping, primary bearing strut element having a longitudinal body with open opposing ends and a vertically disposed inner edge and a vertically disposed outer edge, suitable for insertion within the subchondral bone, wherein the at least one non-telescoping primary bearing strut element includes a concentric taper from the outer edge to the inner edge; 
 the longitudinal body having a porosity to allow vascularity, bridging bone, and other biological elements to pass through to promote healing at a treatment site; 
 the vertically disposed inner edge having pronged scalloping to first penetrate the subchondral bone during insertion and to maintain the at least one non-telescoping, primary bearing strut element in place within the subchondral bone; and 
 the vertically disposed outer edge having a plurality of hollow grooves formed vertically therethrough, wherein the plurality of hollow grooves are configured to receive a multi-pronged longitudinal insertion holder during insertion of the at least one non-telescoping primary bearing strut element within the subchondral bone, and the vertically disposed outer edge is contoured to fit the subchondral bone at the treatment site. 
 
     
     
       12. The joint support and subchondral support system of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one non-telescoping primary bearing strut element may have a geometry in the form of a multiple concentric circle, joined circles, hexagon, octagon, or other non-euclidean shapes.